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Hawai'i Hilo Vulcans Athletics

HAWAI'I HILO VULCANS ATHLETICS
Coach David Kaneshiro
Joe Poellot / Joe Poellot Photography
David Kaneshiro enters his 13th year as head coach of the Hawai‘i Hilo women's basketball team.

Women's Basketball Hawai‘i Hilo Sports Information

Women’s Basketball Adds Six Newcomers for 2022-23

After six departures from a season ago, the Vulcans will have an equal number of newcomers.

HILO, Hawai'i – Hawai'i Hilo women's basketball coach David Kaneshiro has added six newcomers for the upcoming 2022-23 hoops season.

The reigning Pacific West Conference Coach of the Year replaces six departures — three to graduation — with four freshmen and two transfers.

"We are looking forward to working with all of our new players," Kaneshiro said, who will be entering his 13th year as head coach of the Vulcans. "They are high character, unselfish people who have accomplished a lot on the court and in the classroom. They will fit in very well with our returning players and the Hilo community."

Transfers are Kamalu Kamakawiwo'ole (Kaimuki, Hawai'i/Utah State University) and Jaslyn Booker (Sierra Vista, Ariz./Pima Community College) with Keirstyn Agonias (Pahoa, Hawai'i/Hilo HS), Kaile Cruz (Milpitas, Calif./Pinewood School), Melanie Hiu (Gresham, Ore./Sam Barlow HS) and Ayana Meyer (Honoka'a, Hawai'i/Hilo HS) rounding out the incoming freshmen class.

"We are very excited to welcome Kamalu, Jaslyn, Kaile, Keirstyn, Melanie and Ayana to our basketball 'ohana," Kaneshiro continued. "They are hard workers and team-first players who will add skill and athleticism to our roster."

Hawai'i Hilo finished last season with a 14-10 overall record and 11-8 in conference to qualify for the PacWest Championships for the first time since the 2013-14 season.

The highlight of the year was an overtime win over then-ranked No. 5 Alaska Anchorage.

Of the seven returnees, three were starters, including All-PacWest First Team selection and 1,000-point scorer Mandi Kawaha.

KEIRSTYN AGONIAS | G | 5'8 | FR | PAHOA, HAWAI'I | HILO HS (HAWAI'I)

» Played three seasons of varsity basketball for coach Cliff Kawaha.
» Averaged 10 points per game.
» She was an All-Big Island Interscholastic Federation First Team selection in 2018-19, 2019-20 and 2021-22 and named to the Honolulu Star-Advertiser Fab 15 All-State Team in 2019-20 and 2021-22.
» Played club for Kona Stingrays and Hoop Dreams Hawai'i.

Coach's Words: Keirstyn is a good all-around guard with a nice feel for the game. She can create opportunities for herself and her teammates with her ball-handling and passing, and she has the ability to help us on the defensive-end of the court as well.

KAILE CRUZ | G | 5'2 | FR | MILPITAS, CALIF. | PINEWOOD SCHOOL (CALIFORNIA)

» Played four seasons of varsity basketball for coach Doc Scheppler where they captured the 2018-19 Nor Cal Open Division Championship and the 2020 CCS Open Division Championship with a 2018-19 State Tournament runner-up finish and a 2022 CCS Open Division runner-up placement.
» Averaged 8 points, 2 rebounds and 2 assists per game while shooting 42 percent from three-point range.
» 2022 West Bay Athletic League Honorable Mention.
» Played club for Team Kidd, Fever, Renegades and Foster City Flyers.

Coach's Words: Kaile is a quick guard who plays with a high motor. She is a very good shooter who handles the ball well and plays with good poise. Defensively, she is very active, competitive and plays with good toughness.

MELANIE HIU | G | 5'7 | FR | GRESHAM, ORE. | SAM BARLOW HS (OREGON)

» Played four seasons of varsity basketball for coach Nick Hudson where they won a League Championship in 2021-22 and were runner-ups in the Division 6A State Tournament.
» Averaged four assists and five steals per game while shooting 60 percent on 3-pointers.
» She was an All-League Honorable Mention, All-League Second Team and All-League First Team throughout her prep career.
» Played club for Or3gon Tripl3.

Coach's Words: Mel is a versatile player who does a lot of things to help her team. She is a good athlete who shoots the ball well and is an active defender.

AYANA MEYER | G | 5'7 | FR | HONOKA'A, HAWAI'I | HILO HS (HAWAI'I)

» Played two seasons of varsity basketball for coach Cliff Kawaha.
» Averaged 13 points, five rebounds and five assists per game.
» She was an All-Big Island Interscholastic Federation Second Team selection for the 2021-22 season.
» Played club for the Kona Stingrays and Hoop Dreams Hawai'i.

Coach's Words: Ayana is a fundamentally-sound player who shoots the ball very well. She has a good basketball IQ and will be a good fit for our style of play.

JASLYN BOOKER | F | JR | 5'11 | SIERRA VISTA, ARIZ. | BUENA HS (ARIZONA) | PIMA COMMUNITY COLLEGE

» Played two years at Pima Community College for coach Todd Holthaus where they finished as 2021-22 NJCAA Region I, Division II runner-ups and captured the 2020-21 NJCAA Division II Southwest District Championship.
» Averaged six points and six rebounds per game.
» 2020 graduate of Buena High School (Arizona).

Coach's Words: Jas is a hard-working player who will bring a strong low-post presence to our team. She is a relentless rebounder who also runs the floor well. She also adds experience to our roster after two successful seasons at Pima.

KAMALU KAMAKAWIWO'OLE | G/F | SR | 5'11 | KAIMUKI, HAWAI'I | KALANI HS (HAWAI'I) | UTAH STATE UNIVERSITY

» Played three seasons at Utah State University for coach Kayla Ard, appearing in 66 games and earning 2019-20 Academic All-Mountain West.
» 2020 graduate of Kalani High School (Hawai'i).
» Played four seasons of varsity basketball — three at Maryknoll School where she helped them to three Hawai'i High School Athletic Association Division I State Championship runner-up finishes; and one at Kalani High school for coach Chi Mok.
» She was a three-time All-Interscholastic League of Honolulu First Team selection with an All-O'ahu Interscholastic Association First Team honors. Named to Honolulu Star-Advertiser Fab 15 All-State Team all four years.
» Named to the 2016-17 All-USA Hawai'i Girls' Basketball Second Team.

Coach's Words: We are very excited that Kamalu decided to return home to Hawai'i to finish her college career. She brings athleticism, skill, length and three years of Division I experience to our team. She is a versatile player who can impact a game on both ends of the floor.

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Players Mentioned

Mandi Kawaha

#3 Mandi Kawaha

G
5' 2"
Junior

Players Mentioned

Mandi Kawaha

#3 Mandi Kawaha

5' 2"
Junior
G